The Ratpocalypse is Here - Why Rat Populations Are Booming During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Warning: Some images included in this article may not be appropriate for all readers.
The COVID-19 lockdowns emptied city streets around the world. With restaurants and bins producing less food waste, urban rats lost their usual scraps and got both desperate and bold. Hungry, cannibalistic, and highly visible, they ranged farther in search of meals. While the apocalypse isn’t here, a “Ratpocalypse”—periods of higher rat activity—can show up fast when human behavior shifts.
Why Rat Activity Spiked
- Restaurant and nightlife closures reduced nightly trash, a primary food source.
- Rats expanded ranges, foraged during daytime, and pushed into residential areas.
- Competition and stress rose inside colonies—reports of cannibalism increased.
Media & Public Health Alerts at the Time
During early 2020–2021, major outlets and public agencies documented surges in rat sightings and behavior changes across cities in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. Highlights included coverage from CNN, the Washington Post, BBC, National Geographic, CBC/CTV, and city notices (e.g., NYC, Baltimore), plus CDC advisories about “aggressive” rodent behavior around closures.
Case in Point: New Orleans’ French Quarter
In March 2020, viral videos showed swarms of rats in the French Quarter after bars and restaurants shut. With nightlife trash gone, rats poured onto the streets and into adjacent neighborhoods hunting new food sources.
“Rat Wars”: Cannibalism & Colony Stress
When food gets scarce, rats fight more and may cannibalize the young, weak, or dead. That grisly reality was documented widely during lockdowns and is a classic sign of colony stress—not a sci-fi mutation wave—but it does make rats bolder and more visible.
Rats Are Grand Masters of Adaptation
Rats excel at exploiting food sources and squeezing through tiny gaps. With less downtown waste, they followed the food—into alleys, residential blocks, even vehicles. (Chewed wiring can cause costly car repairs.) Their adaptability is why sanitation and exclusion matter as much as trapping.
Keep Rats Out—What Actually Works
- Seal entry points (≥ 6 mm / ¼") around pipes, vents, doors, eaves, and foundations. Use metal mesh, hardware cloth, or steel wool + sealant.
- Sanitation first: bag and bin trash tightly; don’t leave pet food or bird seed accessible; tidy yards and storage to remove harborage.
- Defend the car: park away from dense vegetation; inspect engine bays for nests/chew marks if activity is suspected.
- Trap proactively: place traps along walls, fence lines, and travel routes; service them consistently.
Hands-Off, Humane Control
For constant, low-touch control without toxins, use a self-resetting trap. The A24 Home Trapping Kit pairs a CO2-powered, quick-kill, self-resetting trap with a portable stand for easy placement and a Quick Start Guide for optimal setup. It provides ongoing protection without daily resets, and it’s safe to use without rodenticides.
Weathering the “Ratpocalypse”
Rat problems are fundamentally human problems—where we store food and create shelter, rats follow. If urban conditions change (holidays, shutdowns, construction), expect rats to shift too. Stay ahead with sanitation, exclusion, and a trapping plan that doesn’t rely on poisons.